Do you see what I see?x

.............a star, a star, shining in the sky................ oops nope it's not Christmas, I just felt a song come on as I wrote this.

In all seriousness, I was mooching around the Bloglovin feed yesterday and came across the lovely Abi's post which she has written. Using one picture, she had then written a list of things she could see in that picture. She had taken inspiration from this blog post by Ali Edwards. Both these women have now inspired me to write somethings down about what I see in this picture...........

I see two women who met about 20 years ago working on the same ward and one who took an instant dislike to the other.

I see two women who despite that first meeting have grown to be extremely close friends and have supported each other through some pretty rough times.

I see two women who forced the one woman's husband to watch Dirty Dancing when they had evenings in.............. sorry M x.

I see one woman who has an incredibly strong faith, who is an incredible mother, daughter, wife, sister and friend.

I see one woman who has struggled with her faith but has been successful in rebuilding it thanks to the other woman.

I see two woman who both struggle with unseen health issues and despite those issues continue to live "normal" lives.

I see two women who are strong because of what life has thrown at them.

I see two beautiful women, one completely outside and in, the other just on the inside.

I see two women's spirits shining brightly

I see two women who despite living miles apart can pick up their conversations as if it was only yesterday.

I see two women who love another as great friends.

I see two ex-nurses who have forged into new avenues and are thriving.

I see me and my friend Teresa

What do you see and are you brave enough to write it down?

OLW 2015 - mood board x

Hi everyone today I thought I would share this months One Little Word 2015 prompt which was to make a mood board related to your word. If you read my previous post, my word for this year is Light.

Ali Edwards began the idea of a making a mood board a couple of years ago but to be honest I never really engaged with that idea before. However, this year I really felt that making a mood board was a brilliant idea as I had seen so many amazing and inspiring pictures and words not only on Pinterest for example, but in magazines.

Ali's idea was to use whatever things struck a chord with you and to make a mood board from them. So I sat down one afternoon with some old magazines from my mum like Good Housekeeping and also a couple I bought specifically. I bought Psychologies because I thought there would be alot of words related to light such as enlightenment, health and well being but also things related indirectly to my word. I also bought a beautiful magazine called Landscape which had incredible articles and pictures from places in the UK primarily which really called out to me.

Having made a pile of cuttings I got myself a cheap canvas from a shop, mine were £6.00 for two canvases sized 16" x 20". I also got out my decopatch glue which is not only a glue but a varnish too and I thought would therefore protect my masterpiece once completed.

I had chosen several large images of bluebell woods, beaches, a girl playing in a field and a Greek style windmill. I also found some candle images and a camera and a whole range of words to use including light, glow, health, mindfulness, twinkle and sparkle for example. I built up from my base layer of pictures and added my words and some lovely quotes onto the canvas.

And here is the result................

Above is the completed mood board in all it's glory and I really am very happy with the results. Ultimately, I have created a board with four areas of focus, which I will elaborate on below.

The top left hand corner is really focused on the word Light. I found a beautiful beach and sea picture for the background. Going to the sea makes my mood lighter and I feel young and silly again so I had to include something about that.

In the top right hand corner is the picture of the Greek windmill and the colour of the sky is perfect, it looks relaxing and warm and that makes me feel light, the central image of the lights are a variety of bulbs hanging from a tree in the forest and they just glowed hence them being sited below that word glow.

The bottom right is focused on more healthy activities for body and mind. I just loved the model running across the field with her net. This I felt brought humour into my board. I put all the words and quotes about losing, weight, focusing on a healthy mind and body onto this area too.

In the lower left hand quarter is a wonderful photograph of a path leading through a bluebell wood. I love bluebells, they remind me of my childhood. The path sort of leads of into the health focused section but that was a fluke really. I wanted to keep most of the picture clear. I added a picture of a camera as light is integral to taking great pictures, and I added the sparkle and twinkle words above.

I found the model with all the red butterflies like a hat in the Psychologies magazine. I love butterflies, they are light as a feather and the picture again was quite whimsical hence added abit of humour.

This is just a closeup of the quotes from the healthy section.

I am really very pleased with it and I know that it will fire me with inspiration for the rest of the year.


I would love to hear about your moodboards or your opinions on mine.

One Little Word 2014 ~ REBUILD x

A few year ago, I took part in Ali Edward's year long class called One Little Word with Big Picture Scrapbooking. My word then was ''BE'' and I spent a year trying to just ''BE''. This year, Ali is hosting the class herself and I have taken the bull by the horns and added my name to the long list of individuals, new and some blogfriends already, who will be joining Ali in her year of living, growing and learning that word. The word I have chosen is REBUILD.

Why that word? Well I was bimbling around on Pinterest, as I do on occasions to pass the time, and came across this quote.........

Last year, yes it is 2014 already can you believe it, was tough. Not only because I have the past year being off sick because I have ill with Bipolar but because it has led to me questioning so many things. Not only my mental health but my professional and personal life. Honestly I feel like I am in a process of knocking everything I know about myself down and rebuilding it and so that word has now stuck in my brain and is leading me forwards into 2014.

I thought about my word and fiddle about on Pinterest as I do, and the next image which came into my head was that of a butterfly. Doesn't that beautiful insect tell a tale. It starts as humble little caterpillar, often not the most beautiful creature in the world. It is often derided by gardeners for eating their crops, eaten by birds and other creatures, but if it is really lucky and eats enough and stays out of trouble or another creatures stomach it will pupate. After many more weeks, that pupa will crack and out of it will emerge the most beautiful insect. I love butterflies, I use them in scrapbooking alot so that image is now a part of my word for 2014.

The image of the butterfly stayed with me, but not merely that but the image of walls being built obviously and then a jigsaw puzzle. I feel very much at the moment that I putting a puzzle together with thousands of pieces but without the picture on the box. Many of the pieces are worn and don't fit together very well, but some of them are clear, bright and make a picture quite easily. I hope that this year most of the puzzle will come together and perhaps I will pupate into something more beautiful. We will have to see

I do hope you will follow my year of REBUILDING and perhaps if you are joining in I will see you on Ali's pages.  I would love to see how everyone chose and developed their understanding of their word.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas................. x

OK I know Christmas is still 2 months away or as my iphone app says 66 sleeps but for those of us who like to Journal or decorate our homes DIY style it is not that far away.


Like many people I do a yearly Christmas Journal with Shimelle Laine called Journal your Christmas. You start on December 1st and finish on 6th January, or 12th night. I have done this for about 5 years now and love documenting the things I do with my friends and family, and by myself. It gives something else to focus on and celebrate the time itself. Since I have been diagnosed I have found December time a real struggle so journalling helps me remember what I am meant to be enjoying. The really special thing about this class is that you buy it the first year and the following years are sent to your inbox free. It is a wonderful class to take part in with loads of ideas and support. Shimelle will be posting the latest information about this year class next month.


There is also Ali Edward's December Daily project which is a short duration but thousands of people complete the daily pages every year. There is loads of information and tips on that link page about the project and I know alot of scrapbookers who blog and teach take part every year so again there is a great community spirit and alot of support and inspiration.


 I have already begun collecting my Christmas scrapbooking supplies together to make my album for this year and will share those nearer the time.


For today I wanted to highlight to great blog events happening next month which should help you get in the mood for journalling, DIYing, crafting and generally having a great time for free.

Firstly, Jeniffer Grace is hosting ''Frosty Festivities'' on the weekend of 8th -10th November.

Here is what Jennifer says about what she has planned......................

Over the weekend there will be posts every hour from 4pm-10pm Friday, and 10am-10pm Saturday and Sunday (GMT), including crafts, tutorials, challenges, tips, a blog hop (with a mix of old and new faces in the hop), and many, many giveaways! It will all be on the theme of Winter and Christmas, so we can get nicely in the festive spirit and share lots of ideas to see us through colder days.


Secondly  Kristin Tweedale is having a blog weekend running the last weekend of November 29th and 30th called ''Holiday Extravaganza''

Here is Kristin's description of her plans for that weekend of fun....................

What is it?

An awesome holiday-themed blog party with challenges, games, tutorials and giveaways. It’s a great alternative to Black Friday/Small Business Saturday shopping with a fun crafty twist. So hang out with us and get your craft on!

How it works:

Starting on Friday, November 29th @ Midnight EST there will be a new blog post each hour — continuing through Saturday (Small Business Saturday). Among the posts will be challenges, tutorials, games, and more.

Kristin is also looking out for inspiring guest posts so if you would like to inspire Kristin with your proposal the details can be found on this post. Having worked with Kristin's class Find Your Voice as a blogger and crafter, Kristin is very supportive and professional. She would love to hear from as many people as possible with great ideas. Go be brave and pitch your idea.


If you want any Christmas inspiration already then head on over to Pinterest, there are pins flying everywhere for just that as we speak.

Project Life 2013 - the kit.

 

 Hi everyone and welcome to my first Project Life 2013 post. So Project Life is a back to basics way of recording and remembering your everyday life initiated by Becky Higgins. Becky says that all you need are a binder, page protectors and photos/memorabilia and notes to get started. What else you do to your story is up to you.

As this is the first I have decided to talk a bit about my kit which I have put together.

I didn't want to spend any money on new things, although I may need to but more page protectors and card to print on, and so I have primarily shopped my stash, of which there is ALOT!


I found a. 8.5 x 11 inch folder by American Crafts which is  D-ring album. I like these albums because they are easily available and you can get page protectors in a variety of styles to fit them. The album already has some normal size page protectors in it and I also found a pack of 6 x 12 inch page protectors which I will cut down. For variety I wanted some divided page protectors but couldn't find anything online until I searched on UK Scrappers and a lady there suggested some pages from WH Smith which are designed for trading cards. The packs are £6.99 so I bought one set to see how I get along with them first. Although if you can buy online they are half price.

I then went through my patterned papers and pulled out papers which I really liked, no distinctive colour scheme, style or design just things I loved. I also pulled out some plain cardstock in different colours and also some plain Kraft card. Next I hunted through my stash for a variety of different letter stickers. I have found lots of tiny letters in differing colours and some larger letters too. I also found some sticker sheets which phrases on them which you can see below..............

Next I decided to find some key stamp sets which would fit well into the journalling ideas. Here are the ones I have chosen....................

The top stamp set is a freeby from a magazine I found. The one next to it is by Elle's studios and features a numbered journalling block which is no longer in their shop I'm afraid. The one bottom right is by Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday and features 2 journalling blocks and finally the Stamps Away set is called ''Journalling'' but again I can't find it online either.

I then went wild looking for embellishments which include some buttons, washi tapes, tags, brads, stickers, gems, glimmer mist, ribbon etc and the whole kit looks like this.............

The clear box is a 12 x 12 box which is about 4 inches deep which is full and then the clear bag is also packed full. I am putting everything together in a flash shopping bag so I know where everything is. I will of course be using punches and stamp paraphenalia too.

Finally I have made a Project Life Pinterest board which has all the ideas I've found and also products I will be using. You can find that here. There are lots of downloadable pieces online so if you're doing Project Life you may find the board useful. I have also joined the Project Life Community on Big Picture Classes. It is completely free to sign up and you can access the forum where loads of other Project Lifers give help and hints to fledgings like me. I have also been to Becky Higgin's site where again there are loads of tips and if you want to buy her products they are also there too.

Some well-known Project Lifers include Ali Edwards and Cathy Zielski who often give great hints, tips and downloads and tutorials too. Well worth a look.

I have also signed up to a free daily diary page called ''OhLife''. It is gr8 because they email you every evening to remind you to complete your journalling for that day. All you do is reply to the email and hit send and your diary is saved and stored ready for you to start writing up your journal cards in your album, how clever is that?

So my next plan is to decorate the front cover and make Week one and I hope to show those later this week. Hope this post has also helped you learn a bit more about Project Life and how you can get involved.

Week in the Life title page.

I have busily photographing things which I have done this week. It has been an interesting week so far.
The thing that has taken me ages to sort is the LO designs. In the end I have used 3 page designs from previous classes I completed at Big Picture Scrapbooking with Cathy Zielske and Ali Edwards. The titles page which I am sharing today was from the ''Me: the abridged version'' title page and I have used several pictures I though showed the week quite well. I used colours from the rose and the felt tip colouring in to make the colour colour blocks and circle which I liked.

 

From top left we have catching the train home on Monday, dustbin men on Wednesday, Pooh and Paddington bear on Monday, Anna's owl necklace (I so want to pinch this) on Friday, drawing and colouring in on Friday, Pickwicks for tea and cake on Thursday, reading everyday and roses in the gardens Thursday.

So two more days of photos to take and then work on completing the LOs begins. How's your week in the life going?

Week in the Life

So it's that time of year again, the time when we scrapbookers join with Ali Edwards in the annual Week in the Life journey. I did this last year as it fell in with the week I began my new job. As I have been ill with bipolar again and am off work, I will be doing a different take on the week in my life, but that's what the whole process is about, describing what happens for you in that week as a snapshot of your life.

A couple of my blogfriends are doing the week again this year like Amy who described her plans today. Last year I did mine digitally with some A4 designs by Ali herself so I will probably do that and hybrid scrapbook the rest.

If you want a thorough knowledge of the background to Ali's project then hop over to her main page about it here

This is how Ali is planning her week on the blog next week.....................

Week In The Life Schedule

Here’s what’s happening next week:

MONDAY | The week begins with a special Week In The Life giveaway from the 2011 sponsors. The comments on the giveaway will be open through Friday with the winners posted on the following Monday.

TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY | Each day I’ll share my photos and words for the day. At the bottom of each post I’ll include a link widget for you to link to your own blog or site sharing your photos and words. Seeing others photos and reading their words are such a great way to get inspired and to think about other things you’d like to include in your own project.

WEEK OF AUGUST 1 | I’ll be sharing my completed album.

There is also a free PDF to download to use for documenting key daily events you have noted or photographed or want to journal here. So I hope to see some more of you guys joining in the fun.

Tasty Thursday..................

................just cos I feel like.
So today I got the latest edition of ''Mollie Makes'', surely you've not been in Antartica and heard us all going on about it. This month you get more free felt to make felt rings, crochet tutorials for flowers and some felt dogs to make, cool............

My latest taste frenzy is these...............Japanese Seaweed covered peanuts, nomnom.

I found this fabulous site called Creative E-courses which gives you up-to-date info on all kinds of online classes which are either free or paid for. There are mixed media and scrapbooking classes. Definately worth a hop over just to see what's around.

Today over on Ali Edwards site Janet Hopkins has a hybrid tutorial with free downloads and pdf instructions. Janet has some beautiful printables here  and a beautiful blog here.

This is one of Janet's printables.................

In even more exciting news, Shimelle launched her newest class yesterday afternoon which costs a meagre £10.00 so I hope you've all signed up. It will be a journal which you make with 20 pdf instruction.prompts, videos, the open class and if I know Shimelle ongoing updates and class access. It starts on the 18th July.

Explore starts Monday, 18th July 2011 and runs for four weeks with prompts Monday through Friday. These prompts take you through an adventure from your perspective. Everything is written in a way that you can participate from home – this is not a travel album. Instead there are prompts on using your camera, your pen and your crafting supplies to look at your surroundings and your memories in a new way. There’s a new adventure in every prompt.

So have a good Thursday hope you find something to play with.

Happy New Year............

Happy New Year everybody, hope you all had a fab Christmas and enjoyed celebrating the beginning of a new decade. I spent the evening with my neighbour and his family playing charades, a card game called Mou mou, Jenga (ooh that got dead competitive) and generally having a gr8 time. It was one of the best New Years Eves I've ever had. I can even remember what I was doing 10 years ago at the Millenium as I was working night duty on the neonatal ward at Salisbury. We watched the millenium across the world and strangly no electrical problems arose!!!!

So over Xmas I have read this book,

 remember this post? I won the first pay the book forward from           and I must say the book is great. A story of knitting, family, moving on, love and change I read it over a couple of days and am so smitten I managed to get the followup book in the Oxfam bookshop the other day. In between I have also read my new Kathy Reichs I had for Christmas and am deciding what to go for next. If you would like to be on the list to be the next Pay the book forward recipient then email me at:

josowerby[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]uk

by the 10th January 5pm and I will pick a winner.

I have also been working I promise on JYC 2010 and am playing catch up. But I have also begun, or at least started reading the new things I am going to be doing over the coming weeks and months. Firstly I am repeating Ali Edward's Yesterday and Today class and also Lisa Cohen's Wellness class which was given as presents last Xmas and have got with a alumni reduction again for 2011. The new class I am doing is Ali Edward's year long class ''One Little Word''. Last year I chose a word for the year which was ''Wellness'',.............haha. That didnt go very well really so I have chosen a new word for 2011. I thought long and hard and it just popped into my head one day so I have chosen.................

renewal.

I think this is a really positive word for me and hasn't got the pressure of last years word. I feel really gr8 about this word and have begun the processes Ali suggests for this month's prompt. This is a brand new 12 monthly class and I think Ali is a magnificent teacher and has wonderful ideas so it will be fun. Other blog friends are doing it too so I hope we can share and support each other in our storytelling. Speaking of which I will put another post for Sian's new storytelling Sunday event later. Have a read and come back later to see what I come up with.
Just to finish off, here is a selection of presents I received from family and friends for my Xmas/birthday........

Something new!

Noticed anything new about my blog? Go on take another look......................yep I have a snazzy new BIG letter at the beginning of my post all care of Adori graphics ace tutorial. I't dead clever and super easy and only takes a few minutes to do. There is loads of stuff to see and a tutorial every Tuesday to snazz up ur blog. Check it out!
So life here in the shires is moving on slowly. I'm still awaiting the paperwork for my CRB, Criminal Records Bureau check, which will be the thing which takes the time to complete. Here in the UK, ALL health care, educational social services and umpteen other jobs needs all records to be checked before employment. It is taking 2 months at the moment so no job until about June by the looks of it, although in my past experience they have always come back quicker.
So last week was pretty amazing interview wise. I was stoked to get a job at last and I have also got some other interviews for permanent jobs as a health visitor over the next few weeks as the job I have is still only as and when work.
So I got my bow this week from Rachel but I look so awful I haven't dared take a picture. I was taking pictures for Ali Edward's A week in the life but I lok terrible. All blotchy and fat, dare I say it. So I am going to see if I can do some nicer pics to post.,
This weekend was our monthly crop and I did the class which was a minibook. It is made from 2 pieces of chipboard and 5 envelopes and is really easy as long as u know where the folds go and how it all sticks together. Karen led the class but it is a design by someone else she couldnt remember who so if is was u let us know so u can credited.
This is what the finished book looks like:
front cover...........

inside pages made from envelopes.........................


I also did another challenge LO and spent my £7.00 winners voucher from last time but blogger is having a hissy fit and wont let me upload the pics. Anyway I'll njust have to do another post wont I?

WELLNESS.

.............it is interesting that I should find Ali Edward's new blogpost today where she is discussing plans for what to do in February which will inspire you regarding your word of the year which if you remember was ''Wellness''...................the reason being that I am definately not well. To put it into perspective, I am ALOT better than yesterday when I festered in my bed feeling like death, I even phoned the out of hours doctors service which for a nurse is a definate no-no unless someone is dying!!!!!! I thought I was, my heart was pounding, my temperature was rock bottom but I was having rigours, the shakes and could not get warm. I was fully clothed with extra jumpers on plus lying under a thick duvet, thick blanket and eiderdown thing and still felt freezing. The doctor did ring me back, not visit, and said there is a dreadful virus doing the rounds. I still have the throat from hell and Dalek Kahn is living in my larynx but at least I feel well enough to get up today and do something.

Anyway, thankfully, I can speak across the blogworld to all my friend without, a, loosing my voice and b. and much worse giving you all this horrible virus.
So Ali has posted today about 3 things:

1. Create
2. Learn
3. Write.
   

So these are my 3 ideas to follow on from what she has discussed:
1. She suggested taking photographs and creating something individual around your word for the year. She also gave a link to this really clever site called Spell with Flickr. You type in your word and up pops your word in image form like below..............





.................you then get an html code to pop into your blog and hey presto. I didn't like the initial version and have only kept the owl in ''L'' but all you do is keep clicking on the the letter until an image pleases you and the overall design seems appropriate. I love the embroidered ''L'' as I do cross stitch and the sculpted ''e'' on the pencil. The carved ''N'' is also very me as it is to do with trees and I love trees, plus they give homes to owls so doubly special. The ''e'' is a little dubious but I like the leaf background and I think the overall appearance is beautiful.

2. For learn Ali suggests finding a library book or online book etc. which helps you explore your word so will have to do abit of research for that one I think.
3. Is to write something.................done

XXXXXXXXX

............big kisses to all my lovely readers who all cheered me up so much yesterday and I have stopped ranting now and feel calm and soothed. I feel so mellow in fact that I even forgive my bank!!! Lol.
Anyway today it has started snowing again, they have suggested at various points of the day,-no snow, al little snow and heavy snow for our area- I think they're just covering their back really. So I haven't done alot today other than sort out my portfolio ready for Thursdays interview and trawl through 100s of documents from the Dept of Health and lots of nursing sites to find things they could ask me about. It is very hardwork being interviewed these days cos you really do need to be as up-to-date as possible on the latest thing.

After my ranting LO yesterday I did one for The Studio challenge which was to do with what you are afraid of. I am mostly afraid of becoming lost in my mental illness. I don't think I will you understand but there are times when my bipolar gets the better of me and I do ''lose'' myself in a world where I can't focus or concentrate. It's a simple LO with alot of white spcae which was one of the prerequisites.


You also had to use 3 pidtures so I used some old passport ones I found.


Here is a closec up of the title and brief journelling. I have also been working on a small art project for my Ali Edwars word for 2010 which I will share later.